Rangers appoint former Man Utd CEO Stewart

Patrick Stewart (right) at Old Trafford in May

Patrick Stewart has been announced as Rangers' new chief executive officer and will start the role on 16 December.

Stewart previously held the same job title on an interim basis at Manchester United during an 18-year spell in various boardroom roles at Old Trafford.

The Aberdeen native has also held roles within the FA, Premier League and European Club Association and has acted as an arbitrator for the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

"Patrick comes with an excellent reputation and background, bringing extensive experience of operating at senior levels during his 20-plus years in football," said Rangers interim chairman John Gilligan.

"The board continues in discussions with several excellent candidates for the role of chairperson and expect to make an announcement of an appointment in the coming weeks."

Stewart replaces James Bisgrove, who departed for Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia during the summer.

Rangers recently announced a £17m loss for the year to June.

On the park, League Cup finalists Philippe Clement's Rangers are third in the Scottish Premiership, eight points off Aberdeen and 11 below Celtic, and have seven points from 12 in the Europa League.

Jo Potter's women's team are second in the SWPL - a point off Glasgow City - and are through to the SWPL Cup semi-finals.

'Idea of joining Rangers would appeal very much to him'

BBC Sport's Simon Stone

I don't think he's the type of chief executive that's going to be in the media every two seconds explaining club policy. He’s very much a kind of behind closed doors person.

He has vast experience, he was Manchester United's general counsel when he came to the club and David Gill in particular rated him very, very highly. Then in latter times he's been United’s face on the European Clubs Association at Premier League meetings.

Clearly the club has changed. I suspect if he'd have wanted to stay in his job that that could have happened. I think like many other people at Manchester United, he felt that with the regime change, it was time for something new. I suspect the idea of joining a club like Rangers would appeal very much to him.

He is more of a person who is going to make sure Rangers are run properly, that is run well and will be the face of Rangers at the major events involving the European Clubs Association, I would imagine within the Scottish Premiership and that will be his role.

It will be fascinating to see how he adapts if he's got to step up and speak more to the media, because that is not something that he's been used to doing at Manchester United.